Learn to Ask God!

Fresh Manna© by Pastor Tim Burt
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com/

James 4:2-3 “You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. YOU DO NOT HAVE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK GOD…”

Wednesday night at our church service, I was watching a little four year old boy during the Praise & Worship. This little boy was dancing so freely and from his heart to the Lord. He had his hands raised to the Lord in worship and was just a pure joy to watch. As I watched this little boy I was reminded of two verses, Psa 8:2 “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise….” And, “MAT 18:4 “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” I thought, this little boy is just having a time before the Lord and doesn’t even know enough to care what others think. Praise God for the innocent. If we as adults could just get that free and easily worship the Lord, Oh how it would positively affect our lives.

There is something else that little children do. They often fight over what they want. They just take things from their friends or siblings and get in trouble. That part isn’t so good. They need to be trained and instructed. They also ask – they ask for everything. They don’t think about price or cost to us. They just know they want it and they ask. Little children are usually very carefree in asking for what they want. It takes them along time to learn how and what to ask for. I always liked that my children were carefree in asking for what they wanted. I thought, “at least this way they’ll learn and they will get things along the way.”

Kids ask for treats right before dinner. Kids ask for things that for some parents, exceed their budget. Kids ask for things you don’t want them to have. They also ask for everything. At least mine did. Little by little, I tried to teach them what is and what isn’t good stewardship. They have caught on and do ask for what they know I am glad to give them.

When I grew up as a boy, I thought my parents were poor because there were ten children in our family. I never asked mom or dad for anything because I didn’t want the family deprived. My next younger brother was just more free about asking for everything – and you know what? It seemed like he got it all. He’d get a new bike while I drive my old one. He’d get ice skates and so many different things that he “just had to have.” My sister closest in age to me was that same as me. We both didn’t want to inconvenience our parents so neither of us asked for hardly anything and you know what we got? Hardly anything! We were a little jealous because we saw that dad give our “asking brother” most of what he wanted.

As a Christian learning these truths, I look back at my brother now and realize, he was the smart one. He asked – not because he was more selfish but because he had a better sense of faith in my parents to supply his needs.

Today’s Fresh Manna indicates that people fight over their desire for stuff. It’s true. We see jealous people envious over the things of others all the time. If we were like that little boy I told you about, we would just learn to ask. So what if you’re wrong in what you ask for? Isn’t the Holy Spirit big enough to teach you and help you develop discernment? Don’t you think the Lord will show you what is permissible to ask for? Yes he will and He would rather have you asking Him that carrying jealously and envy over what other have. Phil 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, BUT IN EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

You view of what God is willing to help with is most likely, way too small! Many can’t imagine God caring about things. God cares about souls being saved and about people being helped in this defiled world. We are to pray in faith and have faith for Him to move in both.

I have asked the Lord for so many things over the years. I have done so because when I ask in faith, it is pleasing and honoring to the Lord. He wants us dependent upon Him for everything. When we have to lean on ourselves we know we are in trouble. There are far too many things that we are incapable in ourselves of getting, doing, of accomplishing. Asking God for right reasons and out of a pure heart is a product of growth and learning. The thing we should be guilty about is not asking at all! You can’t believe how many people there are that just don’t ask God for anything. He says, “WE HAVE NOT BECAUSE WE ASK NOT!

Psalm 84:11 tells us “For the LORD God is our light and protector; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” When you ask and you don’t see things happen right away, please keep this in mind. It isn’t because HE is not working on it. Much of what He brings us in life comes through people. God does not usurp people’s will. He has to lead them like you and hopefully they will respond. If they don’t’ He looks for someone else. Yes He could do a miracle but He chooses to use people. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Do you have a need? Ask in faith believing. Let the Lord teach you. Be patient and be confident that no good thing will he withhold from you. Say it and believe it!

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com/